Log handling device



Nov. 11, 1969 c. E. HASSELL ETAL 3,477,598

LOG HANDLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1967 CLARK E. HASSELL LOWER/V25 0.00885 INVENTORS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,477,598 LOG HANDLINGDEVICE Clark E. Hassell, Rte. 1, Skiatook, Okla. 74070, and glggegnze D.Dobbs, P.O. Box 1044, Sperry, Okla. Continuation-impart of applicationSer. No. 513,675, Dec. 9, 1965. This application Aug. 28, 1967, Ser. No.663,817

Int. Cl. B65g 7/12; A01d 9/06 US. Cl. 214--379 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a log handling device whichis adapted to pick up logs or other elongated objects at one location,to transport the log to another location and to deposit it at the otherlocation with a minimum of effort being exerted by the operator. Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No.513,675, filed Dec, 9, 1965.

Generally speaking, logs or other elongated pieces of wood are carriedby hand from their place of storage to a wood burning fire place. Someof these logs are heavy and cumbersome to carry. Some logs may becovered with dirt, saw dust, pieces or bark, etc. so that a personcarrying such a log will become dirty in the process.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to providea log handling device which can be brought to the original location ofthe log or other elongated device, which can pick up the log and secureit on the device, which can then be wheeled or moved to the location ofuse for the log and which can thereafter be operated to discharge thelog at the point of intended use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe type described herein which is capable of picking up, transportingand discharging a log in a manner more efficient than heretoforeproposed or contemplated.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide adevice of the type described herein which is relatively simple andinexpensive to construct and which is simple to operate.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with adetailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a log handling device constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along section line 22 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of the cradle sub-assembly associated with thepresent invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view, on a slightly enlarged scale and withthe tong omitted, of the lower forward portion of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 2showing the details of the lower end of the control rod.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGURES 1 and 2 show a handlehaving a generally horizontal portion 11 and an inclined portion 12. Arubber handle or grip 3,477,598 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 ICC 13 is locatedon the handle portion 11.. The lower end of the handle portion 12connects with two frame members 14 and 15 which are inclined atessentially the same angle to the ground as the handle portion 12. Theseframe members 14 and 15 have sections 16 and 17, respectively, which areparallel to each other and upper converging sections 18 and 19,respectively, which, at their upper ends, provide the connection withthe handle 10. This connection may be made by any convenient means suchas welding or the like. The frame members 16 and 17 are connectedtogether slightly above their lower ends by means of the invertedU-shaped brace 20. Two lower frame members 21, 21, only one of which isshown in FIGURE 2, are connected to the frame members 14 and 15 in amanner now to be described. The lower frame member 21 which is generallyin the form of an L-shape is secured at its upper end to the lower sideof the parallel section 17 of the upper frame member 15 by welding orother suitable means. At its lower and forward end the frame member 21is secured to the upper frame member 15 by means of the strut 22, againby means of welding or any other suitable means. It should be understoodthat an identical frame member 21 and strut 22 are secured in exactlythe same manner to the frame member 14 in parallel relation with theframe member 21 and the strut 22 shown in FIGURE 2. An axle 23 issecured in any suitable manner to the lower frame members 21 and wheels24 and 25 are freely rotatably mounted on the ends of the axle 23 in anywell known manner. A horizontal tube or rod 26 connects across theforward ends of the lower frame members 21.

The cradle sub-assembly shown in FIGURE 3 and generally designated bythe reference character 27 is pivotally connected to the horizontal rod26 in the following manner. The cradle 27 is composed of a pair ofparallel arms 28 and 29 the upper ends of which are essentially straightand the lower ends of which are curved downwardly forwardly so as toprovide prongs 30 and 31, respectively. The forward ends of the prongs30 and 3 1 are pointed or tapered as at 32 and 33, respectively, so asto permit easy insertion under a log or other elongated article. Theupper ends of the arms 28 and 29 are connected together by means of theupper rod or brace 34. The arms 28 and 29 are further connectedtogether, intermediate their ends, by means of the lower rod or brace35. Two short lengths of tubular steel 36 and 37 are connected to therod 26, by welding or the like, to provide hinge portions for the cradle27. The lower brace 35 is received through the resulting hinge portions36 and 37 so as to provide a pivot point for the cradle 27. From theforegoing it should appear that FIGURE 3 not only includes a perspectiveof the cradle sub-assembly 27, but also the rod 26 and the hinges 36 and37 which are on the forward frame of the device itself.

An elongated piece of steel tubing 38 is freely rotatably received onthe upper rod 34 between the arms 28 and 29 and forms the main elementfor the cradle lock which will now be described. A pair of latches 39and 40 are secured to the opposite ends of the tube 38 by any convenientmeans such as welding or the like. These latches 39 and 40 are taperedalong their rear edges as shown and are provided with vertical notches41 and 42, respectively. When the cradle sub-assembly 27 is in thelocked position shown in FIGURE 4, the notches 41 and 42 are adapted tofit over lugs 43 and 44 which project inwardly toward each other fromthe upper frame members 14 and 15, respectively. An upper spring bracket45 is connected to and extends rearwardly from the tube 38. A lowerspring bracket 46 is connected to and extends upwardly from the rod orbrace 35. A helical spring 47 having hooked ends as shown, connects be-3 tween the upper and lower spring brackets 45 and 46 by virtue of thefact that the hooks are received in suitable holes in the springbrackets. A plurality of holes can be provided in spring bracket 45, forexample, to vary the force of the spring applied to the tube 38. Thelower and forward ends of the frame members 14 and 15 are pro vided withU-shaped seats 48, only one of which is shown in FIGURES 2 and 4 againstwhich the rear edges of the arms 28 and 29 rest when the cradle 27 is inits engaged position. These U-shaped seats 48 can be made by taking ashort length of tubular steel (not shown) having an inner diameter equalto or greater than the outer diameter of the arms 28 and 29, splittingthis short length of tubular steel lengthwise and securing the resultingU-shaped members 48 to the forward ends of the frame members 14 and 15with the concave portions facing forward. A horizontal stop 49 is weldedto the latch 40 so as to extend horizontally behind the arm 29 of thecradle. The purpose of the stop 49 is to prevent the latch assemblyconsisting of latches 39, 40 and the tube 38 from rotating to a positionbelow that shown in FIGURE 4 when the latch assembly is out ofengagement with the lugs 43 and 44. When the cradle 27 is pivotedforwardly and downwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 4, the stop49 will engage the rear edge of the arm 29 to prevent the latch assemblyfrom dropping down below the desired position. Thereafter, when thecradle is rotated back towards the position shown in FIGURE 4, thetapered rear edges of the latches 39 and 40 will first contact the lugs43 and 44 so as to elevate the latch assembly slightly whereafter, uponfurther rotation of the cradle 27 towards the FIG- URE 4 position thenotches 41 and 42 will engage the lugs 43 and 44 and will thereby belocked in the position shown in FIGURE 4 under the action of the spring47.

A pair of parallel brackets 50 and 51 are secured to and projectdownwardly from the transverse frame member 20. An arcuate tong 52having teeth 53 along one inner end and a hole at the opposite end ispositioned between the brackets 50 and 51 in such a manner that anintermediate hole in the tong is in alignment with corresponding holesin the brackets 50 and 51. A suitable bolt 54 passing through the holesthus described provides a pivotal connection between the tong 52 and thebrackets 50 and 51. A clevis 55 has its lower end pivotally connected tothe lower and rear end of the tong 52 by means of a bolt 56. The upperend of the clevis 55 is hollow and provides a chamber for slidingmovement therein of a control rod 57. The upper end of the control rod57 passes through a slotted locking bracket 58 and terminates at itsupper end in a handle 59. The portion of the control rod adjacent andbelow the locking bracket 58 is provided with teeth 60. In the region ofthe teeth 60 the cross sectional shape of the control rod 57 may begenerally rectangular. The inclined dimension of the slot 61 ispreferably slightly greater than the corresponding dimension of thecontrol rod 57. The teeth 60 are adapted to engage the lower end of theslot 61 so as to prevent forward and downward movement of the controlrod 57 when thus engaged. However, as indicated above, the dimension ofthe slot 61 is such that the handle 59 can be elevated to disengage theteeth 60 from the bottom of the slot 61 such that the control rod can bemoved upwardly or downwardly with ease. The lower end of the control rodis threaded as at 62 and a threaded nut 63 is received on threadedportion 62. A spring 64 is received on the lower end of the control rod57 between the nut 63 and a suitable stop 65, such as a shoulder orwasher or the like in the clevis member 55. Thus, when an object isgrasped between the prongs 30 and 31 and the tong 52, the control rod 57is pulled upwardly, by pulling on the handle 59 until the spring 64 issomewhat compressed; at this juncture the control rod is urged inwardlyand downwardly in the slot 61 until an appropriate one of the teeth 60engages the lower end of the slot 61, the spring 64 still being held incompression. This action will serve to lock the log or other memberwhich is held between the tong and the cradle.

As indicated above, the tong 52 can be locked in a grasping position bypulling upwardly on the handle 59. As will now appear a downward push onthe handle 59 will serve to release the cradle 27 from the lockedposition shown in FIGURE 4. A lug 68 is welded or otherwise secured tothe tube 38 intermediate its ends and in a position directly below thetong 52. This lug 68 constitutes the means for releasing the cradle 27from its locked position. If the control rod 57 were moved downwardlyfrom the position shown in FIGURE 2 by pushing downwardly on the handle59 the inner arcuate portion of the tong 52 would strike the lug 68 soas to pivot the tube 38 in a clockwise direction thereby lifting thelatches 39 and 46 out of engagement with the lugs 43 and 44. The weightof the log or other element resting on the tongs 30 and 31 consideredfurther in light of the cradle 27 itself and considered further in lightof the direction of the force exerted upon the cradle by the tong 52,will cause the cradle 27 to pivot forwardly and downwardly (inaclockwise direction as it appears in FIGURES 2 and 4) about the rod orbrace 35 so as to discharge the log from the cradle.

For the purpose of facilitating movement onto and over a hearth or thelike (not shown) which would be above the level of the floor upon whichthe device of the present invention might be wheeled, a pair of castersor small wheels 69 are attached to the lower forward ends of the framemembers 21, 21.

OPERATION When it is desired to transport a log or other elongatedobject from one situs to another, the device of the present invention iswheeled to the first situs and maneuvered with respect to the log untilthe prongs 30 and 31 are beneath, or partly beneath, the log, assuming,of course, that the cradle has been locked previously in the positionshown in FIGURE 4. Thereafter the tong 52 is pivoted into engagementwith the upper portion of the log by pulling upwardly on the handle 59.After a sufficient pull has been exerted on'the handle 59 the same ismoved downwardly in the slot 61 so that the teeth 60 engage the lowerend of the slot 61 and the tong 52 is thereby locked in position. Bypushing downwardly on the handle 12 through the medium of the hand grip13 the entire frame can be pivoted about the axle 23 so as to elevatethe log. In this position the log can be moved by pulling on the devicerearwardly or pushing it forwardly, whichever is appropriate and the logcan be thus wheeled to the second situs of intended use of the log. Thedownward pressure on the hand grip 13 can be released such that the logand the forward end of the device are lowered into the approximateposition where it is desired to deposit the log. The handle 59 is pulledslightly upwardly and outwardly with reference to the upper framestructure so as to release the teeth 60 from engagement from the lowerend of the slot 61, after which the handle is pushed downwardly torelease the tong 52 from engagement with the log. Continued downwardmovement of the control rod 57 will cause the inner read portion of thetong 52 to strike the lug 68 thereby releasing the cradle 27 in themanner previously described. The log is thus deposited at this secondsitus and the log handling device can be withdrawn from this location.

In order to lock the cradle 27 in the FIGURE 4 position, it is merelynecessary to lift up on the handle 13 so that the tongs 30 and 31 engagethe surface of the floor (or other surface) thereby pivoting the cradle27 in a counterclockwise direction until the notches 41 and 42 engagethe lugs 43 and 44 as previously described.

In the event that the hearth, for example, is elevated from the generallevel of the floor upon which the log handling device is being wheeled,and prior to any attempt to discharge the log from the device, a furtherdownward pressure can be exerted on the handle 13 so as to elevate thelog considerably above the floor and somewhat above the level of thehearth or, at least until the wheels 69 are slightly above the level ofthe hearth. At this point the device is urged forwardly until the wheels69 are above the surface of the hearth after which the downward pressureon the handle 13 is slightly released until the wheels 69 actuallyengage the surface of the hearth. At this time the entire device can belifted from the lower level around the wheels 69 as a fulcrum until thewheels 24 and 25 are substantially even with the level of the hearthafter which the entire device can be moved forwardly on the wheels 69until the wheels 24 and 25 contact the surface of the hearth.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modification apart from those shown or suggested herein may bemade within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A log handling device comprising a frame, wheels mounted on saidframe intermediate the ends thereof to permit tilting of said frameabout said wheels and to permit rolling movement of said device,forwardly projecting prong means located at oneend of said frame forinsertion beneath a. log, forwardly projecting tong means pivotallymounted at said one end of said frame and movable with respect to saidprong means whereby said log is grasped between said tong means and saidprong means, a slidable control bar mounted on said frame and pivotallyconnected at one end to said tong means for moving the same about thepivotal mounting for said tong means, first handle means at the otherend of said frame, second handle means at the other end of said controlbar, a resilient locking means for holding said control bar in a fixedposition relative to said frame when a log is grasped between said tongmeans and said prong means, said pivotal connection between said controlbar and said tong means including a clevis slidably receiving said oneend of said control bar, said clevis being pivotally connected to saidtong means, spring means coacting between said control bar and saidclevis to urge said control bar towards said tong means, a slottedbracket mounted on said frame and received around said control barintermediate the ends thereof, and a plurality of teeth extendinglongitudinally along a portion of said control bar and slidable throughthe slot in said slotted bracket, said teeth being adapted to separatelyengage one end of said slot, said resilient locking means beingconstituted by said slotted bracket, said teeth and said spring.

2. A log handling device comprising a frame, wheels mounted on saidframe intermediate the ends thereof to permit tiliting of said frameabout said wheels and to permit rolling movement of said device,forwardly projecting prong means located at one end of said frame forinsertion beneath a log, forwardly projecting tong means pivotallymounted at said one end of said frame and movable with respect to saidprong means whereby said log is grasped between said tong means and saidprong means, a slidable control bar mounted on said frame and pivotallyconnected at one end to said tong means for moving the same about thepivotal mounting for said tong means, first handle means at the otherend of said frame, second handle means at the other end of said controlbar, a resilient locking means for holding said control bar in a. fixedposition relative to said frame when a log is grasped between said tongmeans and said prong means, a cradle pivotally mounted at said one endof said frame, said prong means extending forwardly from said cradle, aspring mounted latching means mounted on said cradle and engageable withsaid frame for resiliently locking said cradle in position on saidframe, and means on said cradle for unlocking said resilient latchingmeans in re sponse to the opening of said tong means relative to saidprong means.

3. A log handling device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pivotalcradle includes a pair of spaced parallel arms having upper straightsections and lower curved sections constituting said prong means, afirst horizontal rod connected between the upper ends of said arms, asecond horizontal rod connected between said arms intermediate the endsthereof, hinge means mounted on the forward end of said frame andreceived around said second rod and constituting the pivotal connectionbetween said cradle and said frame, a. horizontal tube rotatably mountedon said first rod, a pair of slotted latching members mounted on saidtube and extending rearwardly thereof, a pair of lugs mounted on saidframe and engageable with the slots in said slotted latching members forlocking said pivotal cradle in a relatively fixed position with respectto said frame, a first spring bracket connected to and extendingrearwardly from said horizontal tube, a second spring bracket connectedto and extending upwardly from said second rod, a spring connectedbetween said spring urging said latching members resiliently againstsaid pair of lugs, a release lug connected to said tube and extendingupwardly therefrom in the path of movement of said tong and engageableby said tong when the latter is moved to its open position with respectto said prongs so as to lift said latching members out of engagementwith said pair of lugs for unlocking said pivotal cradle to permitdownward pivotal movement of said prong means relative to said frame,said spring mounted latching means being constituted by said first rod,said horizontal tube, said pair of latching members, said pair of lugs,said spring brackets and said spring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,255,070 1/1918 Waller 214-3771,551,928 9/1925 Bryan 214-379 2,350,207 5/1944 Wyscaver 294-4042,636,771 4/1953 Schneider 294-104 3,165,345 1/ 1965 Gardner 294-104 XRALBERT J. MAKAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 294-19, 50.8

